Getting the kids out the door one morning last week, I took one look at my son’s school shoes– the ones with the giant holes and tears worn right through the leather- and decided it was worth braving the mall to get him new ones. I promised the kids that we would go right after school. When I showed up at school pick-up, they had NOT forgotten.
They were so excited and in good spirits that I took the opportunity to gently explain to them about our temporary living arrangements once our lease ends in March. “Mommy and Daddy, found a new house for us today… ”
Both kids had lots of questions about the house, but each talking over the other in their own adorable, but obsessive little way. Lou was mostly concerned about “which bedroom is the ‘princess’ one” and can it be hers. Scout was worried about what to do in case of a fire. Then, he imagined an intricate escape route from the top floor involving ropes and a box labeled “In Case of Fire”.
I told them “Yes, yes. Of course!” Smiled, then squeezed their little hands extra tight as we crossed the busy parking lot into mall.
Feeling generous (and a heap of guilt), I told both children they can pick out any shoes they want from the Stride Rite. (BOGO! Woot!) Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with macaroons. (I fortified myself a cappuccino.) We made our way to the Disney store, then Pottery Barn Kids. They ran marathons around the mall until it was time to go home for dinner.
Hey kids, life will still be normal for us. Sure, life’s a cluster right now, but everything else will be the same. See. See. Please think that everything will be okay, because I don’t…
As we were exiting the mall, we passed by a kiosk selling remote controlled helicopter. Of course, it caught my my son attention. I have to admit that I was pretty impressed with them as well, but not enough to relent when he asked for one. I told him, “No, not today”, but secretly filed it in the back of my head for “possible birthday ideas”.
His response?
“Life is unfair! We still don’t have a helicopter!”
Of all of the things that have happened to us recently, THAT is what my son considers to be “unfair”…
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